Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes that the ongoing speculation connecting four-time world champion Max Verstappen to a potential transfer to Mercedes is likely bothersome to his driver.
This comes after Mercedes driver George Russell suggested on Thursday that discussions about securing Verstappen from Red Bull were delaying his own contract talks. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff later confirmed on Friday that they are indeed in `conversations` with Verstappen`s representatives.
Verstappen, the dominant champion of the last four seasons, has a contract with Red Bull valid until 2028. However, it is understood that this agreement contains specific clauses that could allow him to leave earlier.
In an interview following Austrian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, Horner stated, “It generates a lot of buzz, and I believe it genuinely irritates Max. Our contract with Max is clear and runs until 2028. Therefore, any reports suggesting otherwise are purely speculative, and we largely disregard them.”
When asked if he thought Mercedes was trying to create instability for Red Bull during their home race weekend in Spielberg, Horner responded that he felt Russell`s frustration over his own contract status was likely sincere.
Horner elaborated, “It`s understandable that George feels frustrated about not having a contract confirmed yet, but that is a matter between him and Mercedes. Regarding Max`s situation, our position and his understanding of the contract are clear. While there`s a lot of talk, contract details are confidential.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had previously openly pursued Verstappen after Lewis Hamilton`s move to Ferrari was announced last year, but prior to this current race weekend, he had indicated that securing the 27-year-old driver was no longer a primary focus.
Speculation about Verstappen`s future at Red Bull heightened last year after a significant disagreement between his father, Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner. However, the relationship between the driver`s side and team management seems to have improved since then.
Ultimately, the key consideration for Verstappen`s next move will likely be where he believes he has the best chance to win further championships. Reports from the paddock suggest Mercedes might have gained an advantage over competitors in developing the new power units set for introduction next year.
It is currently unclear whether he would contemplate leaving Red Bull at the end of the current season or wait to evaluate the competitive landscape once the significantly altered regulations take effect in 2026.
Chandhok Expects Verstappen to Assess Options in 2026
Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok anticipates that Verstappen will evaluate his options primarily in 2026. Chandhok suggests that Verstappen might remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season before potentially switching teams in 2027 if a more appealing opportunity arises.
Chandhok commented, “The exact conditions allowing him to exit his Red Bull contract are unknown. However, if you were in Max Verstappen`s position, you would observe the performance of the leading teams next year (2026) and then make a decision about your future. Practically every team on the grid would jump at the chance to sign Max; he`s clearly the top driver of this era.”
“Furthermore,” Chandhok continued, “the upcoming generation of rules and power units from 2026 could define the competitive order for many years, much like the changes in 2014 did for Lewis Hamilton. There`s a lot of careful assessment happening regarding 2026, and the driver market for 2027 could become incredibly dynamic.”
